Recumbent cyclist newscg-24s review
The Cycle Genius CG-24s CLWBby Bob Bryant The Cycle Genius CG24 is a new entry-level recumbent that sells for just $550. The CG has the feel of a SWB, but in a CLWB package. This means no heel overlap or overly quick handling-both of which can be important traits for new riders. The bike has a full-mesh sling seat-which is an added treat and a rarity these days. Best of all, here's a new, very affordable CLWB that offers exceptional recumbent value. I was pleasantly surprised at just how ridable and comfortable this new bike IS. So, who are these folks who have come out of nowhere to label their bike a "Genius"? The friendly folks from Texas are Adam Potter and Danny Savitzky. They are the designers and principals in Cycle Genius. Both have run Planetary Cycle over the last seven years. Besides the CG, they sell RANS, Vision, BikeE, and Sun recumbents. Systems Frame/Fork-The CG has a unique Xframe design that mixes square high-tensile (mild steel) steel and round Cro-Moly steel. The fork is high-tensile. This isn't as good as Cro-Moly, but the CG is overbuilt and stiff. The X-frame doesn't have the design simplicity of, say, a BikeE, but it's unique, different, and it works-and we like that. Paint-Our CG came in a unique green blue fade. This isn't your usual recumbent paint job, and we'd prefer the other choice of basic red. Steering-The CG has an all-aluminum bar and stem with a quick height-position adjuster (ball detent pin; neat idea). No tools are necessary for adjustment. The handlebars remind me of those on a Lightning P-38. Weight-At 40.5 pounds, the CG24 is heavy, though it's a lot less expensive than some other 40-pounders we've recently tested. Drivetrain-"Bargain basic" is how to best describe the CG drivetrain. The SRAM mix shifted fine, and the bike has excellent chain management (relatively short chain; no idlers). The drivetrain operated smoothly and quietly. Braking-The basic model Alhonga V-brakes stopped the CG with ease. Wheels and Tires-The CG has a 20/16-wheel combo. I highly recommend changing out the tires before you roll the CG off the showroom floor. The stock tires are low-pressure recreational bike tires. We had a serious blowout on one test ride that blew the rear tire off the rim and ruined both the tire and the tube. The optional tires are Primo Comets (1.75 or I.35-inch)-though these are still a bit on the wimpy side (performance tires), the quality is superior. The optional Kenda Kwests are the right choice for the bike. Comfort Seat-The CG offers a full-mesh sling seat with a unique spring system. The seat looks like your standard full-mesh recumbent seat. The seat back and base are separate and hinge together. The independent back and base mesh sections attach under the seat with two rods (one on each end) that are zip-tied together. I'd never seen a seat go together like this. Though more complex than some, it works very well. The CG has chrome-plated "S" spring strips running across both the seat back and base. These unique springs are held into the frame by spring tension. You can remove one or all to custom adjust how springy you want the seat. The result is a very comfortable CLWB seat. I'll admit to not having any problem with any CLWB seats, but having a full-mesh seat was really nice. The folks at Cycle Genius suggested that to optimize comfort, first try removing two bottom springs first and perhaps all. You may spend an hour or so messing with this. The CG has a seat-back recline adjustment. A monostay with a quick-release holds the seat back up, and when detached it allows the seat to fold forward. The seat easily slides on the square frame to adjust for different rider heights. Ergonomics-The CG has more extreme ergonomics than do the CLWB models from Sun, BikeE, Cannondale, or RANS. The higher pedals move the rider rearward, away from the controls. Some larger/taller riders may find a slight hyperextension problem (long reach to the controls) and even a heavily loaded rear wheel/light front end. I was initially concerned about both, but I didn't experience either. Pull-back handlebars are available as an option, though these may increase knee interference with the bars. Ride/Handling Stability-The CG rides like a very stable SWB. It handles and tracks with ease, offering a pleasant and unique road feel. The small front wheel gives the bike the zip of a SWB, but the longer wheelbase gives it more stability. The front end did feel lighter than on most SWB recumbents. The CG is very maneuverable and easy to ride, though the higher pedals are more enthusiast oriented and take longer to get accustomed to in comparison with other CLWBs. Speed/Efficiency-The CG is a quick CLWB. I was getting around town faster on the CG than on my BikeE RX, and it was perhaps even a bit faster than our Cannondale Easy Rider. The added CLWB performance of this bike comes from the stiff frame, a lack of rear suspension (no possibility for pogo), and a smooth-running drivetrain (no idlers/middrive). The package offers superior power transfer from the pedals to the rear wheel (over what is currently available in CLWB recumbents). The only performance detractor was the bike's weight. The downside of this design would be the more heavily loaded rear end, which could be a concern for larger/taller riders. I thought it would be more of a problem than it turned out to be. During our CG review, it rained or the pavement was wet on most of my test rides (wet pavement can make a lightly loaded front end more easily lose traction) I had no problem pushing the bike on my usual daily ride. User-friendliness - The Cycle Genius is not quite as user-friendly as some other CLWB models. The pedals are higher than on most other CLWB 's, and the mesh seat base is less suitable for shorter riders because the base side rails make it more difficult to put your feet down. The use of clipless pedals is also more difficult because it takes longer to get your feet up to the pedals to clip in/out. Fun Factor - Given the great price and the more advanced feel of this bike, you can't help but to have a blast on it. Owning/Purchasing Versatility - Though probably not as versatile as a BikeE or EZ1 (due to its more enthusiast/less user-friendly riding position), the CG can be set up to do most anything. Shipping/Assembly - The CG is built to be assembled by your local bike shop. I don't suggest buying this bike mail order and setting it up yourself. If you do buy it mail order, take it to your local bike shop for setup. Quality/Durability - The Cycle Genius recumbents are built in the same Taiwan factory as the Sun EZ1, so the quality is very similar. We did have some minor problems. We broke a seat quick-release, and the bike had some missing parts. The folks at Cycle Genius were quick to send us everything we needed in quick fashion. Ours was one of the first production models from Taiwan. Though glitches like this can be a hassle, it wouldn't have happened if I were buying from a recumbent dealer. Cost/Depreciation - At $550 retail, you can't lose much. The CG should hold its value better than most recumbents (the more you spend, the more you lose when you resell). Options/Accessories - Fenders are coming. We haven't heard about a seat bag yet, though our BikeE bag and my trusty L. L. Bean backpack both strapped on with ease. There are optional tire choices and even component upgrades. A matching Zzipper fairing sells for $250. Kenda K west 1.5-inch tires with a puncture-resistant casing are a listed option, but they were not yet available when this article was written. A comfort seat pad is also in the works (not that this bike really needs it). A kickstand is available. A performance Shimano 30/42/52 triple crankset is an available option. The CG24AL, an upgraded aluminum frame model, is due out in 2003. It should be several pounds lighter and will sell for about $800. Market Competition-The CG models are very similar in value and pricing to the EZI and EZI SC Lite. There is more value in the CG than with the BikeE CT. The CG doesn't have the refined looks of a BikeE or the track record and design heritage of the Sun EZ1, but it's an excellent addition to entry-level recumbence. From what we are hearing, the bike is selling quite well. Low-cost entry-level recumbents have a history of price fluctuations. The most recent example is with the $550 BikeE CT, which is now selling for $699 (without Sweet Seat). Sometimes the deals don't last very long. Currently the Cycle Genius and Sun EZ1 are the exceptional buys in recumbence. My Analysis Verdict-A few problems: our bike was missing some washers for the seat mounting, we bent a seat quick-release (you don't need to over tighten these), and the derailleur hanger threads were full of powder coat. We couldn't thread the derailleur and didn't have chasing tool, and before we realized there was a problem the threads were messed up. It took our local bike shop about 10 minutes to fix the problem. According to Cycle Genius, the reason for shipping with the derailleur off is to avoid bending the derailleur hanger-which makes sense to us. The Cycle Genius has a slick "no tools" adjustable (ball detent) ASS steering column, a comfy full-mesh sling seat, and a robust steel frame. The lack of suspension will make for a stiff ride, but you won't have pogo or shock problems with this bike. What sets the CG apart from all other American CLWB's is the higher pedals and the adjustable (full-mesh sling) seat. This will allow better comfort on long rides than the competition. This is primarily due to the seat, but the higher pedals and reclinability allow the riding position to be tilted back. The competition offers lower seat heights, which means a more upright riding position (more possibility for recumbent butt). The bottom line is that the CG24 is a decent and affordable performance-oriented CLWB. At $550, the bike is a supreme bargain and excellent addition to the recumbent market. Given the fact that it comes from a new upstart company, we're quite impressed! Specifications Model-Cycle Genius CG24S; Type-CLWB ASS; Steering-ASS; Wheelbase-52"; Seat height-24"; Pedal height-21.5"; Weight40.5 pounds; Frame-High-tensile square with Cro-Moly secondary; Fork-High tensile; Price-$550 Components Crank-Dotek 170 mm triple 28/38/48; Bottom bracket-Shimano; Headset-NA; Derailleurs -SRAM 5.0 (r), Falcon (f); Shifters-SRAM 3.0 twist; Cassette-II-28 8-speed; Chain-KMC; Gear-inch range-1983; Pedals--composite; Wheels-406 mm 20" (r)/305 mm 16" (f); Rims-alloy; Spokes-14g w/brass nipples; Tires-Kenda 40 psi; Hubs-alloy QR; Brakes-Alhonga V-brake (r); Colors-Red or green-blue fade. An aluminum model (CG24AL) will be available next year and weigh 8 to 10 pounds less. It will have better components, including double wall rims and better/higher-pressure tires, and will sell for about $800. Rating/Summary Pro Con Access
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